So you've held on to the Christmas decorations for as long as possible - you even let your tree wilt in the corner in the hope of it making Christmas stay around a little longer. Early mornings are a shock to the system and you're struggling to get back into the swing of work, living for home time when you can jump into your loungewear. Sound familiar? Well you're not alone. I can't think of anyone who doesn't feel a little meh after the 1st of January. Gone are the parties and presents leaving everyone and their mothers a little fed up. Personally I feel a little sorry for January as it's got such a huge month to follow, whilst everyone gets excited about December no-one relishes the drained feeling of the Christmas come down.

I for one try to turn this on it's head - January for me is a month where I start to plan ahead for the rest of the year, I start to think about holidays and what I want to achieve from the year ahead, hey I even make new years resolutions but I am human and sometimes feel like curling up in bed and hiding out for the rest of the day. On those sort of days I like to indulge in a little me time - read a good book, browse my favourite blogs, having a long soak or light a nice candle. At the moment I'm in love with the Frosted Maple two wick candle from Anthropologie, it literally smells like maple syrup. It's the most comforting smell and involves no calorie intake, definitely my kind of syrup. Another candle which has made it's way onto my hearth is the Ginsberg is God candle from Space NK which has notes of fig leaves and tomato. Now I won't lie, this was an early Christmas present and I did predominately choose it for the packaging (come on, we've all done it) however scent wise, it's probably a little too musky for my personal taste. Thankfully it looks beautiful on my hearth and will look even better housing my cotton buds once it's no more.

Another way I've been keeping the festive season alive is by devouring this gingerbread house which was a Christmas gift from my parents, as I'm sure you can see it's almost too lovely to eat (I said almost). As they know I'm obsessed with gingerbread they bought me this house which may just keep me in gingerbread until Easter...I'll let you know. I know eating gingerbread isn't for everyone, particularly as most people I know are trying to be a bit more health conscious in January after over indulging at Christmas but all I can say is those selection boxes won't eat themselves. Jokes aside as much as you do need to think about what you're putting into your body, the odd treat won't hurt you and sometimes a little pick me up is what you need, especially in January so don't beat yourself up if you find yourself scoffing a fudge bar.

I refuse to let the January blues bring me down and have made a conscious decision to keep in touch with all my closest friends - particularly those who make me laugh until my sides hurt and are able to hold their own in a court of fashion, and I don't mean just on Twitter. Even if the pennies are down, hello home cooked dinner parties (I knew there was a benefit to going pasta making) and DVD nights. Let this January be the one where you break the mould and have a ball welcoming the new year, if misery starts to rear it's ugly head then follow my lead and reach for the candles, or the gingerbread. Three guesses for what I'll be doing... 

How will you be prolonging the festive spirit or are you happy to say goodbye to Christmas?